Machine for tensioning and securing shoe uppers



Jan. 7, 1930. c. F. PYM ET AL 1,742,275

MACHINE FOR TENSIONING AND SECURING SHOE UPPERS Filed Jan. 5l, 1929 2 ShtS-Shet l Jan. 7, 1930. c, F. PYM ET AL,

MACHINE FOR TENSIONING AND SECURING SHQE UPPERS f-IILl Patented `lan. 7, 1930 vunirse STATES PATENT oFFicE ru in CHARLES F. PYM, OF BEVERLY, AND ARTHUR FJPYM, OF SWAMPSCOTTQMASSACHU- SETTS, ASSIGNORS TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY l Y MACHINE FOR TENSIONING AND SECURING SHOE UPPERS Application led January 31, 1929. Serial No. 336,429.

This invention relates to machines for positioning or adjusting the uppers of shoes upon a last and securing them in adjusted position.

ln manufacturing shoesl of certain types, particularly the variety known as pumps, there is an extensive region in the upper, from the throat of the vamp to the back seam, where the upper does not extend over the top of the last and where the line of the top edge of the upper must be determined by the eye of the Shoemaker. The proper location and the straightness of this line are important factors not only in producing a shoe of stylish appearance but also in contributing to its fit and wearing qualities. ln the case of turn pumps particularly, the line of the niargin of the upper after Vrelasting is likely to be wavy and uneven. To correct this defect, the upper must be pulled toward the top of the last at whatever points it may sag and their fastened in place so that its correct line will be maintained during the subsequent operation of shaping the upper to its secondv last. l

ln one aspect the present invention consists in a machine organized to apply the propertension at any selected point in a lasted upper to carry its marginal edge toward the top of the last and to secure it accurately in the desired position while held under such tension. Y

The machine herein shown is equipped with automatic fastening mechanism in the form of a powei"operated tacker for tacking the upper to the last, although the precise form of fastening employed is of secondary importance only. Associated with the fastening mechanism is a gripper for seizing a portion of the upper and a rest for the last with respect to which the gripper is relatively movable to tension the upper and position the edge thereof heightwise upon the last or with reference to the top oi the last. tension placed upon the upperin this positioning or adjusting operation is, accordingly, in a direction away from the bottom of the last and the gripper, therefore, moves across the side surface of the last, carrying the edge of the upper toward the top of the last and The bringing it into a straight line from the throat of the vamp tothe back seam.

Mechanism for carrying out this operation has not been available heretofore and the manufacturer has been obliged to depend onv hand work. Under those conditions there is a constant danger that the upper will slip and become misplaced between the tensioning or positioning and the fastening steps. ln accordance with the present invention, however, thegripping and tacking mechanisms are so coordinated that the tack may be driven and the upper securely fastened in place before it is released by the gripper.

An important feature of the invention consists in a gripper and abutment arranged for movement as a unit relatively to the tacking mechanism while the upper is held under tension, so that the tack may be driven at any selected point in the upper. As herein shown, the gripper and abutment swing about an axis located a substantial distance below the tacker to lermitthe lasted upper to be brought into the proper relation to the taclrer, and the mechanism for operating the gripper is so constructed and arranged as not to interfere with the movement of presentation. A. swingframe may be employed with goed advantage in which are mounted the gripper and the cooperatingv rest between which the tt i ion upon the upper is developed. An operating train of mechanism for the gripper is contained within the swing frame. It is important to actuate this train of mechanism without in any way hampering the free movement of the swing frame for presenting the lasted upper to the fasteningmechanism. The desired results are secured in accordance with another feature of the invention byproviding operating connections to the swin v frame mechanism acting substantially in line with the axis of the swing frame and having, therefore, no tendency to displace the latter `or retard its free movement. Y

Another feature, of thev invention, which contributes to increase the capacity and flexibility ofthe machine, consists in a last rest or support arranged initially for free movement with reference to the gripper or pincer to accommodate lasts of the various sizes which may be encountered and to establish conveniently and quickly an upper-engaging relation between the lasted upper an the gripper. lVhen this relation is once established the rest is locked in position and serves to sustain the pull of the gripper transmitted to the last.

These and other features of the invention will be best understood and appreciated from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which F ig. 1 is a view in perspective of the complete machine;

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the upper positioning mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a similar view in side elevation, showing a lasted shoe in section; and

Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of a turn pump which has been operated upon by the illustrated machine.

InV the illustrated machine is incorporated a tacking machine of well-known commercial type, comprising a base 10 carrying a vertically-adjustable head 12 in which is journaled a cam shaft having a pulley 14 driven through suitable belt connections with a motor mounted upon the base of the column. In the forward part of the head is mounted a driver bar 16 which is intermittently lifted by a. cam on the cam shaft against the action of a spring-actuated lever 18 which eects the driving stroke of the driver bar when the `latter is released by its lifting cam. At its lower end the driver bar carries a driver 20 to which tacks are automatically supplied b y means of a raceway 22. The cam shaft is started and stopped at the will of the o Jerator by a treadle 19 which is hung in the ase of the column and controls a clutch upon the cam shaft. The details of this mechanism are not further described as they are well-known in the art.

Secured to the column 10 is a plate from which projects a pair of stationary bracket arms or ears 24, each carrying a pivot pin 26 extending outwardly and pivotally supporting a' frame, comprising side frame pieces 28 and 30 merging at their rear edge into a conieeting web 29. In this frame are mounted all the elements of the last-positioning and upper-pulling mechanism and the side frame pieces 28 and 30 are irregularly shaped and provided with the necessary ears and bosses for mount-ing the various partswhich will now Vbe described.

Directly behind the pivot pins 26 and at substantially the same level is located a transverse shaft 48 which extends between the side frame pieces 28 and 3() and servesas a fulcrum for an upstanding arm 46 whlch, at its lower end, is journaled upon the left end of the shaft 48, as seen in Fig. 2. The arm 46 carries at its upper end the rest or support for the top of the last. This comprises a plate 40 carried at the forward end of a horizontal arm 42 and elongated downwardly from the arm 42 and provided with transverse corrugations to prevent the top of the last from slipping thereon. The arm 42 extends rearwardly and merges through a U-shaped bend into a forwardly-extending arm 44 which is secured to the upper end of the upright arm 46. The forwardly-extending arm 44 is provided upon its lower surface with a toothed segmental plate with which cooperates a ratchet pawl 82, to be described hereinafter. The arm 46 is free to swing about the axis of the shaft 48. It has a rearwardly-extending arm 50 to which is connected the lower end of a tension spring 52. The upper end of the spring 52 is secured to a pin 54 projecting outwardly from one side of the frame piece 30 and tends to swing the arm 46 forwardly until it is arrested by a stationary stop 56, also projecting from the frame piece 30.

The frame 28--30 carries a double rocker member comprising two upwardly-extending arms 34 and 35, two downwardly-extending arms 36 and 37 and the hub 38. The hub is journaled upon a transverse shaft 32 which extends between ears on the side frame pieces 28 and 30 and is provided with a forwardlyextending arm 39. The upper end of a tension spring 33 is connected to the arm 39 and extends downwardly to the treadle 11, tending at all times to swing the rocker member forwardly until it is arrested by the engagement of a transverse pin 31 which extends between the lower ends of the arms 36 and 37 and contacts with the side frame piece 23,z as shown in Fig. 2. At their upper ends the arms 34 and 35 are extend-ed forwardly in spaced relation and carry between them the fulcrum pin of the pincers.

The pincers comprise an upper jaw 62 formed integral with a rearwardly-extending arm 63 which is pivotally connected at its free rear end to a downwardly-extending link 64. The link 64 at its lower end is pivotally mounted to swing upon a pivot pin 66 which extends between ears projecting rearwardly from the side frame pieces 28 and 30 at substantially the same height as the pivot pin 32. It will be noted that the link 64 and the arms 34 and 35 connected at their upper ends by the arm 63 constitute a parallel motion linkage of which the pincer is a part.

The lower jaw 70 of the pincer has a rearwardly-extending arm 72, shorter than the arm 63 and extending above it. This is connected to a downwardly-extending rod 74 which, at its lower end, is connected to one arm of a bell crank lever 7 6 pivotally mounted between the lower arms 36 and 37 of the double rocker member. lVhen the bell crank lever 76 1s swung in an anti-clockwise direction, therefore, the lower jaw of the pincer is separated from the upper released.

`The left-hand side frame is extended upwardly and rearwardly to afford a support for the fulcrum pin 8O of a pawl 82 which, as already stated, cooperates with the toothed segment of the arm 44 which carries the last rest 40. At its free end the pawl 82 is connected to a tension spring 85 which tends always to swing the pawl into engagement with th-e toothed segnient of the arm 44. The pawl 82 carries a stud 83 which is engaged by the forked upper end of a push rod 84 which, at its lower end, is connected to the upper jaw 62 and the bell crank lever 76 already described. When the bell crank lever is swungin an anticlock wise direction to open the pincer, the pawl 82 is moved to disengage the segment of the arm 44 so, consequently, while the pincers are open, the arm 46 and the last rest are free to swing about the axis of the shaft 48.

Both pincer jaws are provided with a centrally-disposed slot and are disposed in close relationship to the driver 20. N hen the pincer occupies its initial position, the end of the driver is located in the slot of its aws and the pincer is in position to engage the upper at points on both sides of the driver. In the tip-drawing.movement of the pincer the driver passes more or less out of the slot and, in the final positioning movement of the mechanism, theupper is carried beneath the end of the driver and properly positioned toV receive the fastening` tack.

The lower arm ofthe bellcrank lever 7 6 which is mounted between the arms 36 and 37 27 which, in turn, is connected to the upper is connected to a rearwardly-extending link end of a curved lever 25 extending down wardly and forwardly about the shaft 48 and being connected at its forwardend to the upper end of a treadle rod 23 by a pin 17. The lever 25 is fulcrumed upon a pin 2l extending betweenears projecting` rearwardly from the lower end of theside frame pieces and located at about the same level as thef stationary pivot pins 26. Y

The forward end of the lever 25 is located in a position above the axis of the pivot pins 26 and, consequently. the line of direction of the action of the force transmitted to it through the t-readle rod 23 substantially intersects `the axis of movement of the frame 28-30. The result of this construction is that th-e swinging movement of the frame about the axis ofthe pivots 26 is substantially unaffected by the force transmitted to the train of mechanism for movinO the pincer to tension the upper. In other words, whatever pressure may be applied to the treadle l1 by the operator affects the swinging frame only by increasing the friction on its pivot pins, although this pressure is transmitted in its full effect to the train of mecha nism self-contained in the swing frame between the fulcrum pin 21 and the pivot pin 32 which constitutes the fulcrum of the pin- `cer in its movement relatively to the rest 40 the pivot pins 26, thus being located in the axis of the swing frame so that movement of the latter occurs without affecting either the grip or the position of the pincers.

As already explained, the spring 33, which extends between the arm 39 of the double rocker member and the treadle 1l, tends always to move the pincer toward its forward or upper-engaging position and to hold the transverse pin 3l in contact with the side frame piece 28. rllhe further action of the spring 33 is to swingr the frame 28-3O also forwardly about the axisof its pivot pins 26. rllhe forward position of the swinging frame is limited by the engagement of a sleeve 49, which extendsbetween the sine frame pieces and surrounds the sanft 48, with the lower edge of the stationary brackets 24. As the spring 33 `is connected to the treadle l1 its tension is not varied `when the treadle is depressed to tension the upper. As herein shown, a horizontally swinging treadle 19 is arranged closely adjacent to the treadle l1 and this may be operated by a side movement of the operators foot to trip the clutch through a treadle rod and operate the tacking mechanism, as will be understood.

In the drawings a turn pump having a vamp 92 is shown as relasted upon its second last 90 and having a portion of its lining 94 extended above the margin of the vamp to receive the fastening tacks.

It will be understood that in the initial position of the mechanismthe pincer is open and the last rest 40 freely movable against the tension of the spring 52, which is so light as compared to the tension of the spring 33 that the rest may be swung toward the right, as in Fig. 3, to the limit of its movement without moving the frame 28-30- The manner of using the machine will be apparent 'from the foregoing description but may be summarized as follows: The operator presents the top of the last against the rest 40, displacing the latter toward the right and inserting the upper, or in this ,ase the projecting lining thereof, between the jaws of the pincer. lWhen he has thus-established the desired upper-engaging relation between the last rest 40 and the pincer, he depresses the treadle ll, swinging the curved lever 25 and through the link 27 rocking the bell crank lever 7 G in a clockwise direction. The movement of the bell crank lever 76 closes the `swing the pawl 82 into engagement with the toothed segment of the arm 44, thus locking like the last rest 4 0 rigidly to the frame 28-50- Continued depression ot the treadle 1l can el'ect no further swinging of the bell crank lever 76 after the pincer has been closed and, accordingly, the continued motion of the lever 25, through the link 27, is eiiective to swing the double rocker member, in the end oi which the pincer is mounted, toward the right about its pivot pin 32, moving the pincer across the surface ot' the last in the direction oit the last top and tensioning the upper against the reaction of the last rest. Depression of the treadle is continued until the marginal edge ot the upper has been drawn. toward the top of the last sutliciently to straighten the top line oi" the vamp. Then this point has been reached, the operator exerts further inward pressure upon the last, which now cts through the locked rest 40 to swing the frame 28-30 rearwardly with all its contained mechanism and carry the tensioned upper beneath the driver 20. In the illustrated case this movement is continued only to the point of presenting the lining in range oi' the driver and the fastening tacks are driven through this projecting portion of the lining, as shown in Fig. et. It will be appa-rent, however, that the operator is enabled to select any desired point in the upper in which he desires to locate the fastening tack. Then the desired tack-inserting relation has been established, the operator swings the treadle 19, tripping the clutch and causing the tack to be driven while the tensioned upper is maintained undisturbed and accurately in the position determined by the pincers. After a single tack has been driven, the treadle 11 is released, whereupon the pincers are opened, the last rest released and all the parts swung forwardly to their initial position, in readiness for a repetition of the cycle.

`Having thus described our invention, wh at we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A machine of the class described, having in combination, a support for the top of a last, means for engaging the lasted upper at a point below the top of the last and carrying its edge toward the top of the last, and means for automatically fastening the upper in such position.

2. A machine of the class described, having in combination, a support for the top of a last, a gripper arranged to engage the lasted upper at a point below the ton of the last and being movable across the side surface of the last to carry the edge of the upper toward the top of the last, and means for automatically fastening theV upper to the last when so positioned.

3. A machine of the class described, having in combination, a rest for positioning a lasted shoe in substantially horizontal position by engaging the top of the last, a gripper arranged to grasp the upper at a. point removed from the top of the last and being movable horizontally across the surface otl the last toward the rest to position the edge of the upper, and means tor automatically tacking the upper while still held by the gripper.

4. A machine of the class described, having in combination, a rest for positioning a lasted shoe in substantially horizontal position by engaging the top of the last, a gripper movable in a path above the rest to grasp the upper of the shoe at a point beyond the rest and then to carry the edge ot the upper toward the top of the last, and cooperating tacking mechanism.

5. A machine of the class described, having in combination, a rest for positioning a lasted upper by engaging the top of the last, a gripper movable across the side surface of the last to draw the margin of the upper toward the top of the last, and tacking mechanism with respect to which the rest and gripper are movable as a unit to locate a tack at a selected point in the upper thus tensioned by the gripper.

6. A machine of the class described, having in combination, automatic tacking mechanism, a positioning device movable to present a lasted shoe thereto, and pincers movable in a predetermined path of variable extent relatively .to said device, reacting against it for drawing the upper toward the top of the last and movable with it as a unit 1n presenting tensioned upper to the tacking mechanism.

7. A machine ot the class described, having in combination, automatic tacking mechanism, a rest for the top of a last, and pincers reacting against said rest and movable relative thereto for drawing the upper toward the top of the last and then movable with the rest as a unit to present a lasted upper in range of said tacking mechanism.

8. A machine of the class described, having in combination, automatic upper fastening mechanism` pincers for engaging a lasted upper, a rest for the top of the last freely movable with respect to the pincers to permit the upper to be inserted in the pincers while the rest engages the last top, and means for locking the rest in position to support the last against the pull of the pineers.

9. A machine of the class described, having in combination, tacking mechanism. pincers disposed adjacent thereto, and a rest for supporting a lasted shoe, the rest being 'freely movable under pressure of the last to establish an upper-engaging relation with the pincer, and means for thereupon locking' the rest so that it may act as an abutment to support the pull of the pincers.

10. A machine of the Iclass described, having 1n combination, tacking mechanism, pincers disposed adjacent thereto, a rest cooperating with said pincers to tension a lasted upper toward the t-op of the last and being initially freely movable to establish an upperengaging relation, and means for simultaneously closing the pincers and locking the rest in position to withstand the pull of the pincers transmitted to the last.

Il. A machine of the class described, having in combination, automatic fastening mechanism, and means for presenting thereto a lasted upper tensioned toward the top of the last, including a movable frame having pincers and a last rest initially freely movable to establish an upper-engaging relation, means for locking the rest, and means for relatively moving the rest and pincer to tension the upper without interfering with their bodily movement with said frame.

l2. A machine of the class described, having in combination, automatic fastening mechanism, and means for presenting thereto a lasted upper tensioned toward the top of the last, including a frame having pincers and a last rest freely movable in the frame to establish an upper-engaging relation, means for closing the pincers, simultaneously locking the rest and thereafter moving the pincers, all carried by said frame and bodily i movable therewith relatively to said fastening mechanism.

13. A machine of the class described, having in combination, automatic` fastening mechanism, and means for presenting a lasted and tensioned upper thereto comprising a movable frame, a rest adjustable in the frame, pincers supported therein by parallel linkage, and manually controlled means for swinging .said linkage to move the pincers relatively to the rest Without interfering with bodily movement thereof with said frame.

14. A machine of the-class described, having in combination, automatic fastening 1 mechanism, and means for ,presenting a lasted and tensioned upper thereto comprising a pivotally mountedv frame, a rest adjustable in the frame, pincers mounted for movement relatively to the rest, and a train of mechanism in the frame actingfirst to close the pincers and then to move them to tension the upper, without interfering with the' bodily movement thereof with said frame.

l5. A machine of the class described, having in combination, automatic fastening mechanism, and means for presenting a lasted and tensioned upper thereto comprising a `swinging frame, a rest and pincers mounted in the frame, and mechanism self-contained Within the frame for forcibly moving the rest and pincers to tension the upper to various different degrees without affecting the i swinging movement of the frame and itscontained mechanism.

16. Amachine of the class described, havfing in combination, tacking mechanism, and

means for presenting'a lasted `and tensioned upper thereto comprising aswingingframe, a rest and pincers mounted therein, means for adjustably locking the rest to the frame,`

mechanism reacting aga-inst the frame for moving the pincers, and operating means therefor acting approximately in 'line with theaXis of said swingin'gframe. 4

E17. A machine of the-class described, havin'conibinat'io'n, t'aclking mechanism, and means for presenting a lasted and tensioned upper thereto comprising a swinging frame,`a rest andpincer mounted inthe frame,`a train of mechanism 'in said frame for relatively per, and operating-means for said train acting approirimatelyin line with the axis thereof.

18. A machine of the ,class described, liav- 'in combination, tacking mechanism, and

means for presenting va lasted and tensioned upper thereto "comprising a swinging iframe, pincers movably mountedA within Athe frame, `a rest arranged yto be initially `displaced to accommodate the lasted upper, and a single 'manually 'operated member carried .by said accommodate the lasted upper, and a single manually operated member suspended within the frame and acting lirst to close the pincers and cause said rest to be locked and then swing said pincers relatively to the rest.

20. A machine for pulling up and taclring the sides of lasted pumps, comprising a power-operated. tacker and a swing frame for presenting a lasted pump thereto, mechanism self-contained within the swing frame for adjustably locating the last and tensioning any portion of the upper selected by the operator. and adjacent treadles for operating said mechanism and controlling the taclrer.

2l. A machine of the class described, having in combination, fastening mechanism and means for presenting a lasted'upper under tension thereto comprising a swing frame, a last rest mounted therein and initially vfreely movable under pressure of the last, a gripper also carried by the swing frame, and means for locking the last rest to said swing frame when the rest has been initially moved to predetermined position with respect to the gripper, whereby further pressure of the last is effective to move the swing frame and rest as a unit.

22. A'machine of the class described, having in combination, fastening mechanism, a swing frame for presenting the last thereto, and a rest carried thereby and movable first by itself to accommodate the presented last and then jointly With the frame to guide the last into range of said fastening mechanism.

23. A machine of the class described, having in combination, tacking mechanism, and aV work-presenting swing frame, an abutment 10 and pincers carried by the frame, interposed mechanism for moving one with respect to the other to tension a lasted upper, and operatin means therefor arranged to be moved su stantially into line With the axis of the swing frame so that movement of the frame may take place without affecting the tension applied to the upper.

24. A machine of the class described, having n combination, tacking mechanism, a Work-presenting swing frame, cooperating devices movably mounted therein for tensioning a lasted upper, and operating means therefor acting in a line intersecting the axis of the swing frame and movable substantially into line with said axis. In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specification.

CHARLES F. PYM. ARTHUR F. PYM. 

